Old Celoron Amusement Park Location For Sale

June 3, 2013

CELORON - A real estate services company is looking for preliminary purchasing offers for the land parcel that was once Celoron Amusement Park.

CBRE, an international real estate services company, has been hired by Northwest Savings Bank to sell the property, 10 Dunham Ave. The amusement park was located there from 1894 to 1962, said Bob Roller, CBRE Buffalo office partner.

"It is a magnificent piece of real estate, with more than 1,300 feet of frontage on Lake Chautauqua," he said. "It commands outstanding lake views, and some say the best sunset views on the entire lake."

CBRE is conducting a call for offers for the property, with a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday.

"People who may have any interest should submit a preliminary offer," Roller said. "That includes a letter of intent outlining basic terms for a proposal. This provides background information on the entity submitting the offer so the bank can make an intelligent decision on who to negotiate a formal contract with. We're seeking preliminary interest in the property that will hopefully result in a successful sale to a capable entity."

Roller said he doesn't know exactly how long Northwest Savings Bank has owned the property. He estimated at least 10 years.

"They decided it is time to get it off their books; that is why we are conducting this call for offers," he said.

Roller said once the offers have been received the bank will review them. He said there is no minimum bid for the property, and the bank is not obligated to select any offer.

The property where the old amusement park was once located is adjacent to Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The area has been included in talks about a waterfront revitalization project in Celoron. Roller said CBRE officials have talked to village officials about the call for offers for the property. In February 2012, the village board placed a moratorium on land development in the area dealing with the waterfront revitalization project. Roller said the moratorium is set to expire in August.

"That was one of our first chores was to speak to the village to see what they were envisioning for the property," he said. "They're not objecting to us shopping the property while the moratorium is in effect. Most any offer is going to have to be contingent that all permits will be approved by the appropriate public authority."

Scott Schrecengost, Celoron mayor, said village officials have been reaching out trying to find someone interested in buying the property, too.

"We are hoping to get a potential buyer, and we hope we can work with them and get something everyone likes," Schrecengost said.

While the moratorium has been in effect, village officials have been updating their zoning codes to ensure whoever buys the property will use it for enhancing the quality of the lakefront property for the whole community.

"We've been working hard to get the zoning through and approved," Schrecengost said.